It would seem that Taylor Swift has a soft-spot for British thespians, as during her timeout from the limelight she has fallen for a rising London-born actor, Joe Alwyn(Photo: Getty Images North America)

The pair have reportedly been an item for a while, having first started off as friends, and it would seem that both Taylor and Joe have been very upfront and honest about their relationship when it comes to their family and friends.

Confirming the globe-conquering singer and aspiring screen star are all loved-up, a source close to the couple told the newspaper’s Bizarre column:

“This isn’t a new couple alert or a secret relationship – the only people this has been a secret to is the media because all of us, Taylor and Joe’s closest friends and their families, were aware they have been together for several months and have known each other for a long time.”

According to The Sun’s Dan Wooton, the 27-year-old Shake It off hit-maker has been dating the 26-year-old (who lives at home with his mother and father in the capital) “for several months”(Photo: WENN.com)

Shedding some light on what has caused the singer to keep this relationship firmly behind closed doors – not even allowing a whiff of it to surface on her Instagram – the friend of the couple added:

“After her 1989 tour and all the attention Taylor received, she learned she had to be more protective of her personal life and she and Joe decided early on to keep their private life private.”

However, it seems her last relationship with Thor star, Tom, has taught the Out of The Woods singer a valuable lesson, as the insider explained: